Ontario Connection Study

Ontario Connection Study – Now Complete

To learn more about this study, the results and the implications please click here.

In early 2011, solar industry participants were having high level conversations with the Ontario Ministry of Energy and Hydro One regarding the challenges of connecting solar photovoltaics (PV) projects equal to or less than 500 kW to the Ontario electrical grid system. Many solar industry participants were experiencing delays regarding the connection of their projects. The reason for these delays and the inability to connect to the electrical grid were due to technical reasons as stated by Hydro One and some local distribution companies.

As solar PV is now playing a larger role in the Ontario electricity grid system, there was a clear need for greater information and analysis concerning the connecting of solar photovoltaics (PV) projects equal to or less than 500 kW and short circuit impacts. A jointly-funded study approach between the solar industry and Hydro One was proposed which become known as the Ontario Connection Study.

The Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) took on the leadership role of organizing and seeking solar industry participants to partake in this joint solar industry and Hydro One study. A number of solar industry companies participated in the funding of this project (See Solar Connection Champions list). A Project Steering Committee (PSC), co-chaired by both Hydro One and CanSIA, was formed to guide the project.  Additionally, a Technical Working Group (TWG) was also created to advise the PSC and to take on many of the technical elements of guiding this study.

The objective of this project was to conduct a third party study to explore the impact of connecting solar PV generation equal to or less than 500 kW per installation to the electrical grid, to understand the technical challenges for both utilities and developers, and to explore possible solutions related to the technical challenges.

To learn more about this study, the results and the implications please click here.

Thank you to all the CanSIA “Solar Connection Champions” who contributed to this study.

Solar Connection Champions